Labour 2017 Pledges

Local Labour candidate Laurie South sets out Labour's ten secure pledges, what they mean to Kingston and Surbiton and the choices voters have in the 2017 General Election.

This election is a choice between two philosophies.

(i) Tory philosophy: this consists of –

cutting back the state and balancing the books through “austerity” - that is cut all public expenditure to the bone, privatising where-ever possible to raise finances:

reliance on laissez faire economics: if there is some growth, irrespective of the quality of life, leave the economy alone. This means a growth bubble based on:

low wages and insecure employment

individual debt growing while interest rates seem low

low investment in research and development, plant, and machinery that increases productivity

high dividends often to overseas investors

low tax to attract more foreign investment

the individual should be responsible for him- or her-self. The individual takes all the risk for any misfortune (illness, unemployment, etc)

the individual becomes the ultimate consumer: electricity, water, gas, schools, health, training etc are more and more the choice of the individual. Taxes are reduced but the individual has to shoulder responsibility for choosing services

the market place always pushes prices down and efficiency up

(ii) Labour philosophy: this consists of –

wealth is created by a partnership of entrepreneurs, government, unions, employees, investors, and the community, with all playing a part and all sharing in that wealth

government investment in the skills, infra-structure, broadband, renewables, research and development, export support structures, and industrial sector organisations to create the optimum environment for business both small and large to flourish. Austerity just reduces the Gross Domestic Product and reduces the state income

members of the community pool the risks of ill-health or misfortune, and accept that they may be lucky and not fall on hard or difficult times and yet still contribute to the pool

many in society do not have the luxury of being able to choose, and yet others do not want to spend their time choosing between, for example, electricity providers

the market place is not necessarily efficient and more often drives prices up and efficiency down through cartels, price-fixing or maximising short-term profits.

Labour’s manifesto is based on rectifying the failures of the Conservative policies and creating a strong economy for the many, not just the few.

1. A secure economy for the 21st Century

v Brexit negotiations prioritising jobs and the economy

v A National Investment Bank to build a high skilled, high tech, low carbon economy that ends austerity

v £500bn investment to build a high skilled, high tech, low carbon economy that ends austerity, allow good businesses to thrive, and support a new generation of co-operative enterprises

v Creating 500 million new jobs

v Supporting small business through curbs on late payments, rates exemption, and creating export supports

v No tax increase for 95% of the population

For Kingston & Surbiton this means:

Fostering more small businesses and co-operatives

Better digital communications

Retention of jobs in companies dealing with EU

Taxes will not go up for ordinary people on average salaries: money stays in your pocket

2. Secure homes

v 1 million new homes over the Parliamentary term

v At least half the new homes council or truly affordable homes for ordinary people

v Secure tenancies and rent controls

v Regulation of landlords

For Kingston & Surbiton this means:

More council and affordable homes which are desperately needed in a Borough with a 9,000 long waiting list

Proper regulation of the rental market where prices rises are out of control and where young people and those on low wages (such as shop-workers) struggle to find a decent home within their means. In Kingston 21% of families with children are in private rentals and where 43% of median income goes on rent

More security for tenants in the rental sector where you can too easily be evicted at present

Reduce and eradicate homelessness which is growing

3. Secure Education

v A national system as opposed to the fragmented provision

v Proper resourcing of schools

v Increased childcare

v Free school meals for primary pupils

v Maintenance grants at further and higher education for those needing help

v Apprenticeships and adult skills provision

v Cut all university tuition fees

What this means for you in Kingston & Surbiton

No cuts to the number of teachers in schools

Easier to build in important elements across schools such as special needs provision, careers education or counselling

New schools will be properly planned when and where they are needed by the local authority

Everyone who wishes can have full-time pre-school provision, not the half-time care that makes it impossible to work full-time

No child will have to try and learn while they are hungry

Those currently unable to afford to go to further education or university will receive help

An apprenticeship or adult training will be available to everyone who needs to up-skill to retain employment or improve their career opportunities

4. Secure health and community care

v A halt to the sustainability and transformation programme which is basically cuts under a fancy name

v An end to privatisation of the NHS brought in by the Lib Dem / Tory coalition

None of the network of hospitals in the South West, and particularly St Helier, is under threat of closure

A history of poor mental health identification, diagnosis and treatment can be ended

People ready to be discharged but needing community care can will no longer stop people being able to access hospital treatment

There will be sufficient staff at hospitals

Waiting list times will be back to those introduced by the Labour government (4 hours in A&E, no more than 18 weeks waiting for treatment, or possible cancer patients seen within 2 weeks)

Free parking for patients and visitors in Kingston Hospital car park

5. Secure later life

v Labour will guarantee the triple pensions lock until 2025

v Care in later life means your home is not at risk

What this means for you in Kingston & Surbiton

The triple lock is a guarantee to increase the state pension every year by the higher of inflation, average earnings or a minimum of 2.5%. So those reliant on the state pension will have a guaranteed income increase.

Your home will not be grabbed by an insurance company to pay your later life care costs